NSAWC Sailor Wins Local Navy League Scholarship

CARSON CITY, Nev. (NNS) -- A Sailor from Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) was awarded an educational scholarship presented by the Carson City chapter of the Navy League.

The Capt. Wendell R. Alcorn scholarship is awarded to active duty Sailors that have been nominated by their commands. To qualify, the Sailor must be currently enrolled in college having completed at least one semester and show the potential of obtaining a degree. The Sailor must also demonstrate leadership potential and high academic qualifications.

Prior to enlisting in the military, award recipient Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Erica Gonzales from Brownsville, Texas, had experienced difficulties in her path towards earning a degree. "Initially I joined the Navy because I wanted to travel the world, get an education and gain experience." said Gonzales. "It was hard for me to work full-time at home and go to school full-time, so I figured I could do that in the Navy."

Gonzales is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in business degree with a concentration in information systems and has earned more than 70 credit hours.

"Since arriving at NSAWC, IT3 Gonzales has shown she is an asset to the command and the Navy," said Gonzales' supervisor Chief Information Systems Technician Kent Rice. "She has volunteered for numerous military and civilian off-duty projects, participates in Naval Air Station Fallon's Ceremonial Honor Guard and has also excelled in her collateral duties, which are normally run by a first class petty officer. She has become our "go-to person" because of her attitude and superior job performance."

The Navy offers numerous educational opportunities for service members. Through programs like Tuition Assistance which assists active-duty Sailors, the Montgomery G.I. Bill and the Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE), Sailors can pursue their academic goals while ashore or afloat and still meet their work requirements.

"I believe that an education is a valuable asset while on active duty and when you leave the military service," said Rice. "While in the military, an education helps you communicate more effectively both up and down the chain of command. In the civilian community, an education allows you to pursue better opportunities in the job market."

"The Navy education programs are helping me pay for school," said Gonzales. "If you are not taking advantage of it, you're missing out."

NSAWC is the center of excellence for naval aviation training and tactics development in integrated strike warfare, weapons employment, irregular warfare, and maritime and overland air superiority.

For more news from Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsawc/.